Shop Owner Faces Licence Review Over Knives

A Reading shop owner is facing a licence review after knives were repeatedly found behind the counter at King Food & Wine on Kings Road.

The store, which opened opposite the Back of Beyond Wetherspoon in spring 2024 after Pack & Send closed, was granted an alcohol licence for 7am-11pm in November 2023. Reading Borough Council officers and Thames Valley Police have asked for the licence to be revoked over management concerns.

Officials accuse owner Manmeet Singh of several failings: storing knives behind the counter, employing an illegal worker at another premises, and placing toys near age-restricted products.

Knives were found behind the counter in August 2024, September 2025 and June this year.

Licensing officer Ben Williams wrote to Mr Singh in June and August 2024 and June this year. He said: "A large knife was found behind the counter within arm's length of where you or your staff sit when serving customers. This is deeply concerning, and I would urge you not to keep a knife behind the counter. A knife was found under the till in hands reach of your employee, this is not the first time a knife has been discovered under the till at your premises. I again implore you to ensure this does not continue."

After the latest visit, PC Delcan Smyth wrote: "The repeated discovery of knives accessible to staff behind service counters is highly concerning. The fact that such items continued to be found over a prolonged period, despite previous intervention, demonstrates a failure to address known safety issues."

Officers uploaded three photos of the knives and evidence of children's toys and DVDs placed near smoking pipes, alcohol and energy drinks.

Mr Singh was also accused of hiring an illegal worker at M&M Food & Wine on Wokingham Road, a shop he previously ran. A separate report said a failed asylum seeker from Nepal was found working there during a Home Office immigration enforcement visit on June 17.

Officers said alcohol was sold outside authorised hours on July 26, 2024, though they did not give a time.

The council's licensing applications sub-committee will meet on Thursday, October 1, to decide the review. Councillors can modify the licence, suspend alcohol sales for up to three months or revoke the licence entirely. Mr Singh or a representative may make representations at the meeting.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter